A Thousand Times No...

The folks in Colorado are catching on to the boys' shenanigans and "lack of transparency" when it comes to not disclosing information before they open one of their charter schools. The boys wanted to open a school in the St. Vrain Valley School District and the application was denied, so they appealed the district's decision. After reviewing their appeal application, the school district once again -- and wisely -- voted against the school opening, citing among other reasons, the school's refusal to offer up information on governance and finances.Gee, maybe it's about time that school districts ask more questions before they let the boys open up the schools, and not after the fact.Looks like the boys are going to have to round up some Colorado politicians if they want to continue to spread out in Colorado. Maybe the politicians in Ohio, California, Utah, Texas, and Hawaii can give them some tips. Below is the story from the Longmont Times-Call:

Publish Date: 3/9/2011 State board denies Lotus appealBy Victoria A.F. Camron Longmont Times-Call DENVER - The Colorado Board of Education upheld today the St. Vrain Valley School District's denial of a charter for Lotus School of Excellence.Organizers of the Lotus School, which has a kindergarten-through-11th grade school in Aurora, wanted to open a kindergarten-through-fifth grade school in Longmont. Citing an unrealistic budget and a lack of community support, the St. Vrain board of education unanimously denied the request on Dec. 8. After a hearing that lasted just over an hour, the state board of education members voted 6-1 to uphold the school district's denial. Chairman Bob Schaffer, R-Fort Collins, was the only state board member who voted against the motion. Angelika Schroeder, D-Boulder, said Lotus' lack of transparency, such as refusing to share with the St. Vrain school board its intent to enroll forms, raised questions. Marcia Neal, R-Grand Junction, said it's against her nature to vote against a charter school. However, questions about Lotus School's finances and governance were not answered, so she could not support the school, she said. Another state board member, Paul Lundeen, R-Colo. Springs, echoed Neal's statements. He was concerned about the school's governance, finances and community support, he said. No Longmont parents attended the hearing. When Imagine Charter School at Firestone appealed St. Vrain's denial in 2007, the same board room was overflowing with parents and children. After the hearing, Lotus board president Matt Yapanel said, "I feel very sorry for Longmont students." The school will not take its appeal to court, Yapanel said.